This week’s hotfix, while avoiding the current debate surrounding the exotic Divinity, made a pretty decent nerf to a popular Titan exotic. The Loreley Splendor helm has proven to be a massively popular item for Titans, especially with its ability to heal a critically wounded player. Bungie has clearly deemed the healing effect to be too strong, preventing many Titans from dying entirely, that it has reduced the restoration effects, now giving only 1 bonus instead of the typical 2.
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In the meantime, it’s time to take a detailed look at the exotic weekend merchant Xur who arrives once more into Destiny 2 for the next few days. Follow this guide for his most current weekend location, news on his exotic cipher quest, as well as a review of all the exotic and legendary gear he’s brought for the weekend of September 16, 2022.
Where is Xur?
This weekend, players can find Xur on Nessus, hanging out on his usual massive tree branch.
From the Director, head to Nessus and load into Watcher’s Grave. Run towards the back of the zone where a massive tree is found. Jump up until players find the huge branch where the merchant is hanging out.
Class Armor and Exotic Cipher
Xur’s role continues to offer the usual weekly quests, exotics, and legendary gear. Not only are these quests required to purchase a second fated engram, but they’re necessary to acquire legacy exotic gear from the Tower kiosk. Players can earn a new cipher by completing strikes and winning crucible or gambit matches. Gain bonus points for playing with clan mates or finishing more challenging activities.
Xur continues to sell even more gear outside his usual content. In addition to his normal exotic gear, Xur now has Legendary Weapons and Armor for sale in exchange for Legendary Shards and Glimmer.
Exotic Armor
Transversive Steps - Warlock leg armor
It’s been quite a while but the Transversive Steps are finally back in stock. They come with the intrinsic perk Strange Protractor which increases sprint speed and automatically reloads the currently equipped weapon after a short time sprinting.
Naturally, these are a universally great option especially in PvP where players are typically running around maps. Not having to take the few seconds to reload a weapon can sometimes mean the different between winning a gunfight or respawning. Although the recovery is extremely high, the stat roll this week isn’t very expensive, coming in at a lower than ideal 59 in total.
Arc Enhanced. Stat Values:
Mobility +3 Resilience +2 Recovery +26 Discipline +12 Intellect +6 Strength +10
Shards of Galanor - Hunter gauntlets
For Hunters that like to run with Blade Barrage as their Solar Super, the Shards of Galanor really can’t be beat. Sharp Edges is the exotic perk on these and it returns super energy for hits and kills with Blade Barrage once the super ends up to a point.
While not nearly as effective as they originally were, the Shards are still a viable option for Hunters of like to run Blade Barrage and Way of a Thousand Cuts. It’s not going to give back an entire super meter like it used to thanks to a Season 15 nerf by Bungie, but it will still help get players back there faster than normal. While mobility is pretty low, the roll overall is solid and worth a look for interested players.
Solar Enhanced. Stat Values:
Mobility +3 Resilience +21 Recovery +9 Discipline +9 Intellect +11 Strength +10
Hallowfire Heart - Titan chest armor
It’s been a couple of years, but Xur finally has the Hallowfire back in stock. Sunfire Furnace, the item’s exotic perk, improves the recharge rate of all solar abilities. Additionally, it greatly improves ability recharge rates while the player’s super meter is fully charged. This distinction is important for Titans who use a powerful ability like melting point, which can give teams an edge in a mode like Gambit.
The Hallowfire Heart is a solid Sunbreaker exotic choice, especially with the recent Solar 3.0 reworks from last season. While Resilience could be higher, the roll is the best of the week at 65, so this is an item that players will likely want to grab.
Solar Enhanced. Stat Values:
Mobility +14 Resilience +3 Recovery +16 Discipline +7 Intellect +9 Strength +16
Exotic Weapon
Originally introduced inside of the Forsaken expansion, Bungie went ahead and made this item a pre-order bonus for those who pre-ordered Shadowkeep before it launched. The Two-Tailed fox is a rocket launcher that fires two elemental rockets, one void and one solar. Better yet, these rockets can track the same target. The void rocket also suppresses the target while the solar one does damage over time.
While this is a fun weapon to use, this particular exotic is outclassed by other weapons including its sibling, the Gjallarhorn. Still, it has its uses in certain game modes, but isn’t a required purchase this week.
Additional perks:
Confined Launch High Velocity Rounds Composite Stock
Hawkmoon and Dead Man’s Tale Rolls
Since Season 16 removed the Presage and Harbinger exotic missions, Xur is also selling both Hawkmoon and Dead Man’s Tale with randomized rolls. Players should visit him each weekend as he’ll be carrying different rolls.
Hawkmoon Rolls:
Extended Barrel Alloy Magazine Surplus Polymer Grip
Dead Man’s Tale
Hammer-Forged Rifling Armor-Piercing Rounds Moving Target Composite Stock
Here’s the complete rundown of Xur’s exotic stock in Destiny 2 for September 16, 2022:
Transversive Steps (Warlock leg armor) – 23 Legendary Shards Shards of Galanor (Hunter gauntlets) – 23 Legendary Shards Hallowfire Heart (Titan chest armor) – 23 Legendary Shards Two-Tailed Fox (Rocket Launcher) - 29 Legendary Shards Hawkmoon (Hand Cannon) - 125,000 Glimmer, 200 Legendary Shards, 1 Exotic Cipher, 1 Ascendant Shard Dead Man’s Tale (Scout Rifle) - 125,000 Glimmer, 200 Legendary Shards, 1 Exotic Cipher, 1 Ascendant Shard Exotic Engram - 97 Legendary Shards/1 Exotic Cipher A Question - Exotic Cipher Quest
Legendary Gear
Xur’s Set of Legendary Armor and Weapons. All gear costs 50 Legendary Shards and 1000 Glimmer.
Lonesome (Kinetic Sidearm) Enigma’s Draw (Kinetic Sidearm) Ignition Code (Kinetic Grenade Launcher) Iota Draconis (Energy Fusion Rifle) Imperial Needle (Energy Combat Bow) Royal Chase (Energy Scout Rifle) Interference VI (Heavy Grenade Launcher) Illicit Invader/Pathfinder Armor Set
Destiny 2 is now available PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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